EXPLOSIVE Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

explosive 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈsplō-siv

Definition of explosive

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect there's been an explosive interest in the sport since the Olympics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity one of the most explosive storms to hit that area of the coast in some time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

explosive

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of explosive

Adjective

Russian officials denied involvement in placing an explosive-laden drone near an airport runway at Leipzig/Halle in August. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The Leipzig-area airport briefly closed in early August after German authorities found an explosive-laden drone along with a detonator at the facility, which is also where Ukrainian transport aircraft frequently land. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

Washington rewrites its wildfire rules In Spokane, dry conditions and extreme weather set the stage for the explosive wildfires in August. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 The first drone seemingly detonated after crashing onto the gas tanks of La Negra Francisca, the crew recounted, while the second appears to have dropped an explosive. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explosive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for explosive

Adjective

Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
As if this weren’t enough for one day, Venus will also make its debut in the secretive and smoldering sign of Scorpio, where the love planet trades light-hearted flirtation for something deeper and way more intense.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Noun

Cage flattened Borden with a power bomb through a table in the corner.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In the village of Bilbasovka in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old child and an adult died after Russian troops dropped bombs on private houses Sunday, according to local official Vadim Lyakh.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of bomb

Adjective

Saylor Hayes, 5, who was the subject of an intensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies, was found in South Carolina on Sunday.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Authorities point to the Golden State’s intensive regulatory environment as a factor.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.

— Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Noun

The Waco, Texas, native died in 1943 during a Japanese torpedo attack in the Pacific.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
The third season ended with Kate discovering the plot orchestrated by Hal and President Grace (Janney) to steal a dangerous Russian nuclear torpedo — a plot she is now implicated in.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of torpedo

Adjective

Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.

— Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Kavanagh was furious and repeatedly made her concerns clear to her superiors at Sky.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
Mother Love Bone had experienced the kind of instant success that made other local bands furious, signing a record deal after playing fewer than 10 shows.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of furious

Browse Nearby Words

explosions

explosive

explosively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Explosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/explosive. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of explosive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on explosive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes